If baseball fans have heard it once, they've heard it a thousand times: spring training stats don't matter. But it seems someone needs to remind some New York Yankees fans and former players.
Gerrit Cole on March 18 made his first start since he underwent Tommy John surgery before the 2025 season. The Boston Red Sox were the visiting team at Steinbrenner Field and the "drama" between the two rivals unfolded quickly.
Virtually no prospective Red Sox big leaguers made the trip to Tampa, so Braiden Ward led off against Cole. Ward bunted the first pitch he saw, and with his lightning speed, made it to first base in time. Yankees fans, and even former pitcher CC Sabathia, haven't taken it well. Former New York Giants player-turned WFAN host Tiki Barber read a text from Sabathia aloud on the air.
"CC's response: 'Kind of trash. They definitely talked about it before the game,'" Barber said.
CC Sabathia, Yankees fans still hung up on Red Sox's bunt against Gerrit Cole in a spring training game
CC Sabathia texted Tiki his thoughts on the Red Sox bunting on Gerrit Cole's first pitch, and it won't surprise you 😂 pic.twitter.com/HkYg4X9bvs
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 19, 2026
Sabathia has a well-established hatred of bunts, so maybe his distaste for Ward's method of getting on base is merely personal. Imagining the Red Sox discussing their plan to "disrespect" Cole in a way by bunting during his rehab start is hilarious.
Bunting is part of baseball and Ward's 99th percentile speed means he could find himself in quite a few scenarios when he may be asked to lay one down. Still, some Yankees fans can't imagine bunting for the sake of practicing a desperation play.
"Gerrit Cole coming off injury, first pitch of the game, they're laying down a bunt? In spring training? ...It's a little cry baby, but come on, Red Sox," WFAN host Chris McMonigle said.
At least McMonigle admitted that a bunt is a soft thing to be upset about. Cole had Tommy John surgery, not a leg injury, so he's perfectly mobile and capable of fielding a baseball, unless being 35-years-old is a handicap.
For those fans who think it's wrong to bunt in a game that doesn't matter: fear not, Ward got what he deserved. From first base, he stole his record 19th base in spring training, then tried to steal another. The Yankees caught him at third base for the second out of the inning.
Cole left his first start after one scoreless inning and Ward's bunt ended up being completely harmless. Cole didn't un-do his Tommy John surgery or break his leg while fielding the ball, so the Red Sox will get away with some spring training shenanigans — they don't have Rafael Devers in their lineup anymore so they need to find another way to get to Cole, no matter how stupid.